With a small and humble beginning of relief to plague and malaria patients in Katihar-Purnea-Araria in 1925, the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Katihar gradually established the regular seva of Shri Ramakrishna in a small shrine. The devotees then approached the Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math authorities for the affiliation of this centre. The then Most Revered President Maharaj, Swami Shivanandaji, a direct disciple of Shri Ramakrishna, opined, “Katihar is a halting station from Belur Math to Assam. It will be good if we have one Ashrama of Sri Sri Thakur over there.” With his blessings and good wishes Katihar Ashrama was affiliated to Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Belur Math as a branch centre in 1931.